Fluid meter



Nov. 30, 1937. w. w. srEvENsoN FLUID METER 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May18, 1935 n INVENTOR l/l//Yb//r Ml SeVe/yso/z.

ATTORNEYQ NOV- 30, 1937. w. w. sTEvENsoN L2,100,495

FLUID METER ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1937.

w` w. sTEvENsoN FLUID METER Filed May 18, 193

5 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffy/3.

INVENTOR' Pi/bar WSe Venson.

BY wtf/MA 26H10 R N EY i Nov. 30, 1937. w, w. s'rEvENsoN FLUID METER 5sheds-sheet 4 Filed May 18, 1935 INVENTOR W//bz/f W Sfea/ensa/z.

WITNESS ATTORNEY j Nov. 30, 1937.

FLUIDb METER Filed May 18, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 n Y. e M W .HR I m MMMS S F. N W W retenue Nov. 3o, 1931 l 'UNITE-D `s'mriss PATENToli-"Piola:

24 Claims.

One object of my invention is to provideA a meter having a wider rangeof operating ac.

curacy than other meters of the class regularly used in the measurementof fluid flow.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rugged and stable meterthat is accurate at all speeds and yet is relatively simple inconstruction and operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a meter of the classindicated in which one wheel or rotor is provided for low speeds and asecond wheel or' rotor for two higher speeds, the two rotors and thethree speeds being so coordinated that a shift from one to the otheroccurs without a break in the registering action.

A more speciilc object of my invention is to provide a meter having aclosure or plug of special contour that is raised different amounts bypredetermined fluid flow to vary the speed of a turbine wheel as theflow of fluid increases, this plug acting as a calibrating'element,either alone or in combination with a cam plate structure, during acertain, preferably the normal, speed range.

Other objects of my invention will become evident from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein'three diagrams, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are first presentedto iliustrate'the meter in its simplest but not preferred form;

Figure l is a view in longitudinal section of a fluid meter havingcertain characteristic features of my present invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views of a modified fluid meter with partsshown in the closed and the open position, respectively, for providingan accurate wide range meter in accordance with my present invention;

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section of the preferred form of meterconstructed in accordance with my present invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagram or chart serving to indicate, in general, theoperation and function ofthe structure shown in Fig. 4; y

Figs. 6 and 'l are views in section, respectively taken along the linesVI-VI of Fig. 'Z and VII-VII ofFig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views, respectively taken along the linesVIII-VIII of Fig. 9 and IX-IX of Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views, respectively taken along the linesX-X of Fig. 11 and XI-IU (Cl. 'i3-197) of Fig. 10, Figs. 6 to 11,inclusive, being views ofv the preferred form of my invention; Fig. 12is a partial view taken at right angles to the view of Fig. 1; and Fig.13 is a horizontal sectional view through the pivotal mounting 19 ofFig. 6.

Referring first to Fig. 5 of the drawings, .thisv diagram illustratesthe three ranges into which the approximate full operating range of afluid meter constructed in accordance with my invention may be divided,namely, a low speed 10 range coveringv speeds from zero to 8%; a normalrange covering speeds varying from 8% to `and an overload range coveringspeeds varying from ,100% vto 200%. .As subsequently noted in detail, Iprovide a' meter hav- 15 ing two turbine wheels or rotors, one of thembeing yutilized during the above-identified low speed range and theother during the two higher ranges, therebyA providing accuracy ofregistering or integrating under all conditions. 20

In the low-speedrange, the low-speed rotor operates the register bymeans of a xed nozzle at a variable jet velocity; in the 'normal range,the main or lhigh-speed rotor is operated byv means of a variable pitchnozzle at approximately constant jet velocity; and in the overloadrange, the main rotor is operated by means of a fixed nozzle at avariable jet velocity.

Referring now to the diagram designated as Fig. 1, thev structure hereshown comprises a so casing I adapted to form a section of a main fluidflow pipe or conduit having a lateral pipe l,

4 extension 2 communicating with the meter rotary mechanism and casing3. A specially shaped plug 4 is adapted to serve as a weight a5 to buildup a differential pressure in accordance with the volume oi' fluid iiow`and -is integrally or otherwise connected; with a small pipe lever 5extending through the large lateral pipe 2 and terminating in an orificeor nozzle 6, the plug o assembly being 'capable kof rotation around apoint I6 located near the nozzle 6. 'I'he nozzle 6 operates on, orcauses fluid to impinge on, the blades of a turbine wheel or preferablyradial straight blade rotor I to one side of `the center `4|; thereof,as shown in Fig. 12, which rotor, through the usual reducing gearassembly 8, drives an integrating mechanism or register 9, for example,of the meter.

A partition or web I2 located intermediate the 5o ends of .thepipesection I is provided with a4 central orice I3, through which theplug 4 projects in its normal position, shoulders I4 thereof resting onthe edges of the orifice I3 which is completely filled by the plug. Thisplug u I3 of varying cross section is formed as the plug is raised orlowered in accordance with thedifferential relations between the weightof the plug and its associated parts andthe pressure of the fluid actingagainst the plug and tending to flow past it in the opening directionthereof, as in dicated by the arrows.

Thus, whenever the plug 4 is partially or wholly raised from its seatwithin the orifice I3, fluid may flow around the edges thereof throughthe pipe I, f but when the plug occupies the closed position shown inFig. 1, no fluid flows directly through ,the pipe I, but a small volumeof fluid is permitted to flow through a curved passage I5 locatedcentrally of the plug and communicating with the pipe lever 5 leading tothe nozzle 6, as indicated by the solid arrows, after which such uidflows through the pipe extension 2 and into pipe I, as indicated by thedottedv arrows. o

In this way, during the period when the plug occupies its closedposition, which ls the low fluid flow period corresponding to the zeroto 8% range of the diagram of Fig. 5, fluid flows through the passageI5, pipe lever 5 and nozzle 6 to the wheel or rotor 1, and thence out,as traced above. During this low speed range nozzle 6 is fixed at suchan angle relative to the blades of rotor 1, that the rotor would berevolved at a speed directly proportional to the rate of iluid ilow,provided all moving parts of the meter were' frictionless. In practicethe rotor will either not revolve at all, or at least not in trueproportion to the fluid flow because of the very smallangulardisplacement of nozzle 6 and the friction of moving parts. Provisionsfor these limitations will be discussed in detail later on. Duringhigher operating speeds corresponding to the greater quantities of fluidflow in the normal operating range, the plug 4 is moved to a more orless elevated position, the .dotted lines indicating the uppermostposition, such rotation occurring around the pivotal point I6 locatednear the nozzle 6, thus varying the angle of impingement upon the bladesof the rotor 1 of the fluid issuing from the nozzle 8. In this way, avariable angle of impingement is provided in accordance with theposition of the' plug 4, which, in turn, is dependent upon the volume offluid flow. 'Ihis range of variable oriflee and 'variable nozzleposition is the 8% to capacity range illustrated in Figure 5. l

After the plug has reached its uppermost or dotted line position, thenozzle 6 obviously becomes stationary, and as the rate of ow con# tinuesto increase, rotor 1 is driven by this fixed nozzle at a rate of speedproportional to the rate` of fluid ow through the entire meter,following the basic principle of theflow of 'uids through dibecause ofits veryI small nxed angular displacement during the zero to 8%operating range,

does not provide a meter that is accurate during this low speed range,and to overcome this defect, I have provided an assembly such as shownin Figs. 2 and 3, which, in addition4 to the' parts shown in Fig.1 andalreadydescribed, with the erception that the meter rotary mechanism'andcasing 28 is substituted for the similar apparatus 3 of Fig. '1,Iincludes an additional nozzle tube 2| forming an extensionof the pipelever 8 and curving upwardly around the turbine wheel or rotor 1', whichmay be termed the main rotor, to terminate in a nozzle located justbelow the second preferably radial straight blade rotor or turbine wheel22, which will hereafter be termed the low speed rotor. As subsequentlydescribed in more detail, the low speed rotor '22 is utilized over thezero to 8% range, indicated in black in the diagram of Fig. 5,corresponding tothe period when the plug 4 o ccupies its lowermost orclosed position illustrated in Fig. 2, whereas the main rotor 1 isutilized in the two speed ranges above the 8% value. p

The low speed'rotor 22 may be intermittently connected with the reducinggear assembly 8,

which is thus common to both rotors, by means of a back gear assembly 23comprising a pinion 24 mounted on the spindle of the low speed rotor 22to constantly mesh with a gear 28 .mounted una spindle I8 which ispivoted at its topmost point as indicated at I8. Intermediate the endsof the spindle I8 a second pinion 28 is secured for intermittentlymeshing with a gear wheel 28 on the same spindle or shaft as the mainrotor 1, a brake clutch mechanism 28 being associated with the gearwheel 28 to permit any necessary slippage during the time that the tworotors 22 and 1 are both temporarily connected to the reducing gearassembly 8, which occurs during transition from the low speedarrangement to the high speed arrangement, and vice versa, of my presentmeter, as subsequently described in more detail.

Normally,` the spindle I8fof the back gear assembly 23, while rotating,is inoperative from the standpoint of meter registration, by reason/of aspring 3i)l biasing the pinion 26 out of engagement with the gear wheel28, this action occurring above the 8% ,speed value of the diagram ofFig. 5;, or, in other words, above the low speed range. However, duringsuch low speed range from zero to 8% speed, the low speed nozzle-tube 2Ioccupies such a position that it, along with the movable plug 4 and pipelever 8, having been rotated counter-clockwise around the pivotal pointI8, bears against a projection 21 on the spindle I8,

-.thus forcing the'pinion 26 into engagement with the gear wheel 28, asshown in Fig. 2. The mechanical details of the back gear assembly asshown diagrammatically in Figs. 2 and 3 are identical with those shownin Figs. 4 and 6 of the preferred form drawings.

During low speed operation, therefore, corresponding to the position ofthe parts in Fig. 2,`

the low speed rotor 22 is driven through the nozvzle tube 2 I, and theback gear assembly 28 is fully in mesh to drive the reducing gearassembly 8 .and operate the integrating mechanism 8. Under theseconditions, the main nozzlev 6 'occupies such '1 a position relative tothe blades of the main rotor rpredominating. As noted above, under suchconditions the movable plug 4 occupies its closed position, as shown inFig.2.

However, under higher speed operation, when the movable plug 4 occupiesan elevated position,

such as shown in Fig. 3. the main nozzle [has been correspondinglytilted to change the angle vof impingement of the uidissuing therefromupon the blades of the main'turbine rotor 1,

whereas the nozzle tube 2| has swung outwardly I3 to Aa position wherepinion 23 is out of meshwith gear wheel 23, so thatthe low speed rotorand the back gear assembly 23 are inoperative,` as noted above. Suchmeshing and unmeshingv of the back gear assembly 23, or morespecifically oi' pinion 26 and gear wheel 23, occurs inlv approximatelyzero 'time and during approximately zero change of ilow,just at theinstant the shoulder |4 of plug 4 seats the edge of orifice |3.

By the provision of this double' rotor-assembly, therefore, one rotorbeing utilized ,for a. predetermined low speed range and the other for`a predetermined normal speed and-overload. range, an accurateregistration of fluid flow is automatically provided over the entirerange of operation of the meter.

Referring to the preferred form oi' my invention shown in the remaininggu'res, which is specially adapted for-use with large pipes.-thestructure shown comprises a main pipe or conduit section 3 L having alateral extension l32 communicating with a meter casing and assembly 33.,A movable plug 34 of diilerent shape from the plug 4 but operating in asimilar manner is provided within the pipe 3| and is provided with asmall lateral pipe ei'rtension or lever 33 extend'- ing through thelarge lateral pipe extension 32 and communicating with both a mainnozzle 36 and through what will hereafter be termed an plug 34 for thepassage of fluid into the laterally extending pipe lever 35 and then'ceto the main or lower nozzle 36 for operating the main or high speedpreferably radial straight blade rotor 36 and through the angling tube31; which is bent upwardly around the main rotor 66, to the upper or lowspeed nozzle 38 which operates on the low speed preferably radialstraight blade rotor '|I.

The movable plug 34 and its associated parts pivot around a pointindicated at 53m Fig. 4 and an alined pivotal point -54, as shown inFig. 7, that is, these twopivotal points corresponding to the singlepivotal point i6 shown in Fig. 2. The uppermost position of the movableplug 34 and its associated pipe lever 35 is indicated in dotted lines, ashoulder on the plug in such uppermost position coming into contact witha restraining boss or internal projection 39 the main pipe 3|.

In order to eliminate chattering of the mvable plug 34 during its up anddown movements,

Under these conditions, it will also beon or raises from within 9 Multmm1 Il vefreblymuredtheretc'- commling. for-example. a 1an' my one endpivoted near. themouth of theA internal l passage 43and the otherendpivoted within a small piston 43 operating within a cylinder 43,which may be bolted or otherwise secured to a cylindrical sleeve 41integrallyorI otherwisesecured to the pipe 3| and extending at'theproper angle to house theillustrsted not structure.

In .the amature, shown-1n ma 2 and a, the low speed nozzle tube 2|y wascapable of a rotative movement in' the plane of the paper,v de

pendent upon the up and down movements oithe movable plug 4. In thepreferred structure shown in-Fig. 4, et seq., this movement of the vlowspeed or angling tube 3'| may occur, but it is unimportant in itselffrom the standpoint of'operation 'of the main turbine rotor, thesignificant movement of this angling tube to vary the angle of-impmgement of the num issuing from the mainnozzle 33 occurring byreason of a shifting ofthe Aangling tubeat an angle to theplane of thedrawings, by reason ofthe following described construction.l

In lieu of the pipe lever 33 extending rigidly into the angling tube31,' the pipe 33 terminates in a flange which is secured to a yoke Il,asbest shown in Fig. 7, by means of short screws 3|.

'I'his yoke is providedwith two arms 62 extendying substantiallyparallel to the pipe lever 36 and terminating in collars 33 and 34having a rotatmg nt with the ends of special bolts Iland Il,

the intermediate portions of which are threaded into the casing 31 forthe meter parts proper. which casing is located within the ,main casing33. As previously noted, in this manner the plug 34N and pipe lever "mayrotate upwardly and downwardly around the alined pivotal points` or axes33 and 34.

A central projecting portion or nipple 43 of the yoke 63 is threaded, asshown in Figs. 4 and 7, for example, to fit into' a similarly threadedsocket or sleeve 49 which may thus rotate around the threaded portion 43of the yoke, or, in other words, the angling tube 31 may rotate at anangle to the plane of the paperand with respect to the pipe-lever. v`

The inner meter casing 31 is shown as provided with a pair of oppositelydisposed bottom portions or plates 32 which may be secured by screws 33to the bottom of the main or outer casing,33. It

is also provided with intermediate plates 33 and f operating members onthat side, as clearly vshown in Fig. 9.

Near the bottom of the outer casing 33, a pair I of bolts 33 areprovided -to fill openings through which access may be had to turnscrews 3| which secure the yoke 50 to thepipe lever 33, thus permittingready disassembly of these parts when desired. 'I'he main nozzle, 33 issecured by screws 63 to the horizontal or lowermost portion of theangling tube 3l, as shown in Fig. 7. Similarly, the low speed nozzle 33is secured'by screws 6| tothe upper end o f the'angling 'tube 31. Aprojection 62 extends inwardly from an intermediate portion of theangling tube 3l toward the rotors for the double purpose ofharmlessly-diverting the flow o'f fluid after. it has passai through theblades of the main rotor 33 and providing a member for urging theillustrated back gear structure, including pinion 14a, (Fig. 6) intomesh with the gear wheel 69 during effective action of the low speedrotor `1|, 'as subsequently described in detail. Y Y Y Extending on theouter side of and above the low speed nozzle 38 is an arm 63 preferablyintegral with the angling tube 31, terminating ina cam contactor or pin64 suitably threaded into theend of the arm 63 and operating on a camplate 65 set at an angle to the cross-sectional plane of Fig. 6, thisplate 65 being shown in plan in Fig. 11. This cam contactor or pin64 isheld in close contact or engagement with the cam plate 65 by means of aspring 89, shown in Fig, 10 as operating-between an eye 90 near theupper end of arm 63 on the angling tube 31 and astationary pin 88secured to the upper plate 12 of the inner casing 51.

As a result of this construction and mounting of the angling tube, itwill be observed that shifting of the contacter or pin 64 along the camplate 65 occurs from the position illustrated in solid lines in Figs. 4and 10, corresponding to the low speed position, wherein nozzle 38operates on low speed rotor 1|., to the high speed position shown inldotted lines in Figs. 4 and 10, wherein the nozzle 38 is out of'operative relation with the low speed rotor 1| and the main nozzle 36%,as best illustrated in Fig. 10, has been moved into such a position thatthe angle of impingement of fiuid issuing therefrom is varied with suchtransverse movement of the angling tube to maintain the proper speed ofthe high speed rotor 66.

y To describe the preferred rotor construction, such as shown in Fig. 6in more detail, the main or high speed rotor 66 is mounted in operativerelation with the main nozzle 36 upon a spindle or axle 61, the lowerportion of which has a sleeve and pivot bearing with the intermediateplate or web 68 of inner casing 51 and the upper portion of which has apin bearing with the second intermediate plate or web 68a. Above themain rotor 66 is mounted the gear'wheel 69 intermittently meshing withpinion 14a, constituting a part of the back gear assembly utilized inconnection With the low speed rotor 1|, With which gear wheel 69 isassociated a suitable brake-clutch mechanism 10 to permit any necessaryslipping of parts, as previously noted, during the transition periodfrom the effective action of the low speed rotor to that of the highspeed rotor, and'vice versa.

In the upper portion of the inner casing 51, the low speed rotor 1| ismounted on a suitable spindle having a sleeve and pivot bearing in theintermediate plate 68a and a pin bearing in the upper plate 12. A pinion13 is disposed just belov.l the low speed rotor 1| to mesh with a gearwheell constituting a part of the above-noted back gear assembly, gearwheel 14 being mounted on a spindle 15 which has a two-pin pivotalmounting 19 ljust below the gear wheel 14 in a block or disc 16a locatedwithin the yupper portion of a short tube 16 through which the spindle15 extends. The tube 16, spindle 15, gear wheel 14 and pinion 14a maythus pivot around the mounting 18, the two pins of which extend into thesaid block or disc through the walls of tube 16. See Fig. 13. curvedprojection or arm 11 extends for the purpose of engaging the extensionor projection 62 on the inner side of the angling tube 31, as previouslymentioned. On the lower end Aof the spindle 15, pinion 14a is mountedfor the purpose of inter- On the outer side of this tube 16 a` mittentlymeshing withgear wheel 69 on the spindle 61 of the main rotor 66, aspreviously noted.

In the position of parts shown inFig. 6, wherein the angling tube 31 isin its low speed position corresponding to effective cooperation betweenlow speed nozzle 38 Vand low speed rotor 1|, the inner projection .62 onangling tube 31 engages arm 11 on small tube 16, thus forcing pinion 14ainto engagement with gear wheel 68 of the illustrated-back gearassembly, this pinion. 14a rotating around the pivotal point 19 near theupper end of spindle 15, as previously explained. Under such conditions,the fluid issuing from the low speed nozzle 38 drives low speed rotor1|, which operates through pinion 13, gear wheel 14, pinion 14a and gearwheel 69 to drive the reducing gear assembly 84, shown in Fig. 8,through pinion 8| on the spindle 61 of the main rotor 68. This reducinggear assembly 84, which is preferably provided with a sheet metal cover83, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, drives a shaft 85 through a. pressuretight gland 80, thus operating the integrating or registering mechanism8.

A drain hole 31a (shown in Fig. 6) at the bot-v tom of the bend inangling tube 31 is provided for the purpose of draining extraneousiluids from the angling tube 31 before reaching the nozzles 36. and 38.This opening may also be used to bypass a definite quantity of iluid forthe purpose of extending the measuring range of the low speed rotor 1|.

However, under high speed conditions corresponding to the dotted lineposition of angling tube 31 shown in Fig. 4, the projection 62 on theangling tube is removed from contact with the arm 11 on small tube 16,whereupon flat spring 18 biases the tube 16 (swinging around pivot pinsv19) to the illustrated dotted line position in 6, thus effecting adisengagement of pinion 14a and -gear wheel 69 of the illustrated backgear assembly without necessarily effecting disengagement of pinion 13and gear wheel 14. In this way, the driving action of the low speedrotor 1| With Arespect to the reducing gear assembly 84 is eliminated,and the high speed rotor 66 operated on by nozzle 36 in the desiredangular impinging position shown in Fig. 10, for example, is thereafteralone utilized for driving the reducing gear assembly 84, correspondingto the operation of the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 2 and3.

'Ihe upper plate 12 of inner casing 51 may be secured in any suitableway to the circular portion of the casing 51 as by means of small screws81, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

'Ihe operation of the preferred form of 'my invention shown in Fig. 4,et seq. may be summarized as follows: Under low speed conditions,

corresponding to the range below 8% speed, in the diagram of Fig. 5,movable plug 34 occupies its lower or closed position, as shown 1n solidlines in Fig. 4, and fluid is admitted through the plug and pipe lever35 into both main nozzle 36 and low speed nozzle 38. However, the `anglebetween main nozzle 36 `and the blades of main rotor 66 is such thatmain-rotor 66 is essentially ineffective. On the other hand, uid issuingfrom low speed nozzle 38, which is set at a fixed angle relative to thelow speed rotor blades, drives low speed rotor 1 I, which, through thepreviously described back gear assembly, including pinion 14a, drivesthe reducing gear assembly 84.

Just after passing the 8-degree point, the movable plug 34 is raisedfrom the solid line position of the v tactor pin 64 and cam plate 66towardsl the dotted low speed nozzle 'Il and at the same time, as preline position shown in Fig. 10, whereupon the following actions occur:'I'he auxiliary nozzle' 38 moves out of effective range with respect tothe viously described, springl biases pinion 14a out of engagement withgear wheel 69. Also at this time, the angle of impingement of mainnozzle 36 becomes such that it starts to effectively drive main rotor 66and continues to do so as the angle of impingement increases up to themaximum angleindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. After this maximumangle is reached, and the rate'ofl flow increases still further, themain rotor continues to increase in speed in proportion -to the rate offluid flow as previously described.

During the change from low to normal range speed, there ielittle, ifany. necessity of utilizing the brake clutch mechanism l shown in Figs.4 and 6, as the pinion 14a is disengaged from gear wheel 69 at the8degree point. However, when the speed is decreasing and the transitionis to be made from the normal range speed to the low speed drive, thelow speed rotor 'Il A isy again driven as the `8degree point is reached,and whatever slippage is necessary to eilect final synchronous operationbetween the low speed rotor 1| and the highy speed rotor 66` is taken upby the brake clutch mechanism 10, after which the position of mainnozzle 36 again renders it sub stantially ineffective and, as'previouslynoted, the low speed nozzle 38 and low speed rotor 'li take over theoperation of the meter.

`It is particularly desired to point out that the above-describedstructure provides a substantially accurate meter registration duringthelow speed range below 8%, by reason of the predominating action ofthe low speed rotor structure, and also accurate yregistration duringthe upper periods, by reason of the predominating action ofv the highspeed rotor structure. In the low speed and overload ranges, thecalibration of the meter y depends on the'velocity of the variable jetsfrom the one or the other nozzle; whereas, in the normal speed range (8%to 100%), such calibration depends on the shape of the movable plug 34alone or in combination with the shape of the contacting surface of thecam plate 65. If the cam plate is made with a straight line contactingsurface, then the calibration of the meter may be provided entirely bythe surface contour of the movable plug. The other extreme would be toprovide a straight line surface plug in the form of a truncated cone andprovide all the calibration by means of the cam. Obviously, anyintermediate combination of plug contour and cam could also be used.From this it will be noted that the structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3 andthat shown in the subsequent figures are fundamentally equivalent, themain difference being the provision of a swivel joint on the anglingtube 31 and the angular location of the tube that is produced by the camplate 65. By the provision of the angling tube and cam plate in thepreferred form, the total angular displacement of the uid jet causingrotation of the main rotor 66 may be only 4 to 6 degrees for effectiveaccurate action, whereas, under such conditions, the angulardisplacement of the movable plug 34 may be nearly 30 degrees.Consequently, the structure shown in the preferred form (Fig. 4, etseq.) makes it possible to provide a much smaller meter for large pipesizes than would be Figs. 2 and 3, which is better adapted for smallWhile I have shown my invention in rtwo different forms, I desire it to-be understood that further modications thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention.` I desire,therefore, that only such limitations shall beimposed thereon as areindicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a plug therefor of suchcontour as to gradually uncover said opening upon .predeterminedincreased uid'ow, a rotatable turbine wheel on which fluid upstream ofsaidopening is made `\-to impinge, and means responsive to suchuncovering for varying the angle of such impingement. r

2. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined iluid iiow imparts movement, a registeringmechanism, a plurality of rotatable members for driving said-mechanismon which fluid upstream of said opening is made to impinge, and meansresponsive to said movement for varying the characteristics of whilecontinuing unabated such impingement to cause the one or the otherrotatable member to predominate at predetermined flows by-.varying itsspeed.

3.A fluid meter having a duid-passing opening, a closure therefor ofsuch contour as to be gradually moved to fully open position bypredetermined increase in fluid flow, a registering mechanism, aplurality of rotatable turbine wheels for driving said mechanism onwhich uid upstream of saidopening is made to impinge, and meansresponsive to such movement of said closure for varying thecharacteristics of while continuing unabated such impingement to causethe one or the other turbine wheel to predominate at predetermined flowsby varying its speed.

4. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a plug thereforfof suchcontour as to gradually uncover saidopening upon predetermined increasedfluid flow, a registering mechanism, a plurality of rotatable turbinewheels for driving said mechanism on which fluid upstream of saidopening is made to impinge, and means responsive to such uncovering forvarying the eifective angle of impingement on one of said turbine wheelstothereby cause it to predominate over the other.

5. A uid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined fluid flow imparts movement, a plurality of ro-4tatable members on which fluid upstream of said opening is made toimpinge, and means responsive to said movement for varying thecharacteristics of while continuing unabated such impingement'to causefirst one and then the other rotatable member to be driven at a speedcorresponding to the degree of fluid flow, a registering mechanismnormally connected to only one of said rotatable members, and meansresponsive to said movement for effectively connecting the otherrotatable member to said registering mechanism under predetermined flowconditions.

6. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor ofsuch contour as to be gradually moved to fully open position bypredetermined increase in fluid flow, a plurality of rotatable turbinewheels on which fluid upstream of said opening is made to impinge, andmeans responsive to such movement of saidclosure for unabated suchimpingement to cause first .one and then the other turbine wheel to bedriven at a speed corresponding to the degreeof fluid flow,

: a registering mechanism normally connected to only one of said turbinewheels, and means responsive to said movement for effectively connectingthe other turbine wheel to said registering mechanism at a predetermineddegree of flow.

'7. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined fluid d ow imparts movement. a rotatable member, anda nozzle connected to and receiving duid through said closure anddelivering it to said rotatable membe said nozzle being pivoted to beresponsive to said movement for varying the angle of fluid delivery ofsaid nozzle.

3. A fluid meter having 'a huid-passing opening, a plug therefor of suchcontour as to be gradually moved to fully open position by predeterminedincrease in fluid iiow, a rotatable turbine wheel, and a nozzleconnected to and receiving uid through said plug and delivering it tosaid turbine wheel,

said nozzle being pivoted to be responsive to s aid movement for varyingthe angle of iluid delivery of said nozzle.

9. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined fluid flow imparts movement, a plurality ofrotatable members, a registering mechanism adapted to be driven therebyand a plurality of nozzles connected to and receiving fluid through saidclosure and delivering it` to the respective rotatable members, saidnozzles being pivoted tobe responsive to said movement for varying theangle of uid delivery of one of them to one of said rotatable membersthereby to cause it to 4predominate over the other in driving saidregistering mechanism.

10. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a plug therefor ofsuch contour as to be gradually moved to fully open position bypredetermined increase in fluid flow, a plurality of rotatable turbinewheels, a registering mechanism adapted to be driven thereby, and aplurality of nozzles connected to and receiving fluid through said plugand delivering it to the respective turbine wheels, said nozzles beingpivoted to be responsive to said movement for varying the angle of-fluiddelivery of one of them to one of said turbine wheels thereby to causeit to predominate over the other in driving said registering mechall. Aiiuid meter having a duid-passing open-I ing, a closure therefor towhich predetermined fluid flow imparts movement, a nozzle and turbinewheel aembly corresponding to a certain low speed range, a second nozzleand turbine wheel assembly corresponding to a higher speed range and aregistering mechanism adapted to be driven by said turbine wheels, bothof said nozzles connected to and receiving fluid through said closureand pivoted to vary the angular relation of each nozzle with respect toits turbine wheel to produce' effective driving of said registeringmechanism thereby in the corresponding speed range only.

12. A uid` meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined uid flow imparts movement, a nozzle and turbinewheel assembly corresponding to a certain low speed range, a secondnomle and turbine wheel as-` sembly corresponding to a higher speedrange, a registeringmechanismadaptedtobedriven by said turbine wheels,both of said nozzles connected to and receiving fluid through saidclosure, normally inoperative driving means between one of said .turbinewheels and said registering mechanism,

said nozzles beingpivotally mounted to respond to movement of saidclosure to vary the angular relation of each nozzle with respect to itsturbine wheel to cause the one or the other turbine wheel topredominate, and means responsive to movement of the'nozzlecorresponding to the low speed range for rendering said driving meanseffective to drive said registering mechanism inthe low speed rangeonly.

13. A fluid meter having'a'fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined uid flow imparts movement, a nozzle and turbinewheel assembly corresponding to a certain low speed range, a secondnozzle' and turbine wheel assembly corresponding to a higher speedrange, `a registering mechanism adapted to be driven by said turbinewheels, both of said nozzles connected to and receiving fluid throughsaid closure, a normally disengaged gear drive between one lof 'saidturbine wheels and said registering mechanism, said nozzles having adouble pivotal mountv ing and tending to respond in two different`directions to movement of said closure to vary the angular relation ofeach nozzle with respect to its turbine wheel to cause the one or theother turbine wheel to predominate, and a projection associated withsaid gear drive for contacting the nozzle corresponding to the low-speedrange to effect engagement of said gear drive with said registeringmechanism in the low speed range only.

14. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing opening, a closure therefor towhich predetermined fluid iiow imparts movement, a plurality of nozzleand turbine wheel assemblies respectively corresponding to a low-speedrange and a high-speed range, said nozzles connected to said closure andreceiving iiuid upstream of said opening for impinging upon thecorresponding turbine wheel, a pivotal mounting for said nozzles topermit response to movement -oi said closure to vary the angularposition of the respective nozzles. guiding means for said nozzles, anda second pivotal uid upstream of said opening for impinging l upon thecorresponding turbine wheel, a pivotal.`

mounting for said nozzles to permit response in acertain direction tomovement of said plug to `varyl the -angular position of the respectivenozzles, said nozzles being also pivotally mounted for movement in adifferent direction, and a cam plate for guiding said nozzles in saiddiierent direction to vary said angular position. i

16. A fluid meter having a fluid-passing open-V ing, a plug therefor ofsuch contour as to gradually uncover said openingv upon predeterminedin- 'creased fluid ow, a'plurality of nozzle and turbine wheelassemblies respectively corresponding to a low-speed range and ahigh-speed range,v said nozzles being movably mounted to move with saidplug and also in another direction and rel ceiving fluid upstream ofsaid opening for impinging upon the corresponding turbine wheel,

- and means for guiding one of said nozzles in said other direction,said plug and said guiding means jointly functioning as a calibratingelement for said one nozzle in one of saidyspeed ranges.

17. A fluid meter having a duid-passing opening, a plug therefor of suchcontour as to gradually uncover said opening upon predeterminedincreased uid flow, a plurality of nozzle and turbine wheel assemblies,one corresponding to a low-speed range and another to a normal speedrange and an overload range, said nozzles receiving iiuid upstream ofsaid opening for impinging upon the' corresponding turbine wheel, saidplug and nozzles being pivotally mounted to move together, saidlow-speed nozzle and turbine wheel assembly operating' by means of aiixed nozzle at a variable jet velocity, and said other nozzle andturbine wheel assembly operating in the normal lspeed range by means ofa variable pitch nozzle at approximately constant jet velocity andoperating in the overload range by means of a fixed nozzle ata variablejet velocity.

18. A fluid meter having an orifice, movable closuremeans for varyingthe effective size thereof, a plurality of members movable in accordancewith uid flow, means for Aconveying fluid from said o'ice to saidmovable members, the rst member corresponding to a low-speed range andthe'second tosa normal speed range and an overload range, said firstmovable member loperating from said orifice, when varied to a fixedsmall size by said movable closure means, in accordance with variableuid velocities through said conveying means, andsaid second movablemember operating in the normal speed range in accordance withthe'varying position of said closure means with approximately constantfluid velocity through said conveying means and operating in theoverload range from said orifice, when varied to a iixed large sizebysaid movable closure means, with variable fluid velocities throughsaid conveying means.

.19. A uid meter having an orice, movable plug means for graduallyvarying the eiective size thereof, a plurality ofturbine wheels, meansfor conveying uid from said orifice to said turbine wheels, the iirstwheel corresponding to a low-speed range and the second to a normalspeed'range and an overload range, said iirst turbine wheel operatingfrom'said oriiice, when varied to a fixed small size by said movableplug means, in accordance with variable jet velocities through saidconveying-means, and said second turbine wheel operating in the normalspeed range in accordance with the varying position of said plug meanswith approximately constant Jet velocity throughsaid conveying means andoperating in the overload range from said oriiice, when varied to afixed large size by said movable plug means, 'in accordance with varilable jet velocities through said conveying means.

20. A fluid meter having an orifice, apertured movable plug means forgradually varying the effective size thereof from that of the apertureto that of the full orifice, a plurality of turbine wheels, lmeans forconveying fluid from said plug means to said turbine wheels, the iirstwheel -corresponding to a low-speed range and the sec- `approximatelyconstant jet velocity through said conveying means and operating in theoverload range from said full orifice in accordance with variable jetvelocities through said conveying means. 1

21. A fluid meter having an oriiice, movable closure means for varyingthe effective size thereof, a plurality of nozzles respectivelycorresponding to a low-speed range and a high-speed range, said nozzlesconnected to and pivotably mounted with said closure means and receivingiluid from the up-stream side'of said orifice to vary in angularposition in`response tc movements of said closure means, guiding meansfor one of' said nozzles, and a second pivotal mounting thereof. topermit movement along said guiding means upon such movements of saidclosure means.

22. A fluid meter having an orifice, movable closure means for varyingthe effective size thereof, means movable in accordance with fluid ilowin either a low-speed-range or a higherspeed range, iluid-ejecting meanscooperating with said movable means to move the same and being movablearound a pivotal point with said closure means, and guiding meanscooperating with said fiuid-ejecting means in only one of said means,and cam means cooperating with said nozzle means in said higher-speedrange only.

24. A uid meter having an orifice, movable closure means for varying theeffective size thereof, means movable in accordance with fluid ilow ineither. a low-speed range or a'y higherspeed range, huid-electing meanscooperatingv with said movable means to move the same and beingpivotally movable with said closure means, f'

and movable guiding means ycooperating with said fluid-electing meansand functioning jointly with said closure means as a calibrating elementfor said uuid-electing means in said higher-speed range. v

WILBUR. W. BTEVENSON.

